Tropical Storm Bertha, the second storm of the season in the Atlantic Ocean, was slowly approaching Louisiana early Wednesday.
As of 5 a.m. Wednesday morning, the storm was about 110 miles southeast of New Orleans, had winds of 50 mph and was moving westward at around 5 mph.
Bertha is forecast to make landfall in southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday, where 1 to 3 or 2 to 4 feet storm surge, dangerous rip currents, tropical-storm-force winds and slow-moving downpours are all possible.
Tropical storm warnings spanned the coastline from the western Florida Panhandle to eastern Louisiana, while tropical storm watches covered portions of far southern Mississippi as well as some of Louisiana.
Winds gusted up to 60 mph in the Florida Panhandle on Tuesday, as beaches were closed along the Gulf Coast and sandbags were distributed in some communities.
Early Wednesday, a disorganized Bertha continued to battle harsh winds that were displacing most of its thunderstorm activity well offshore. However, conditions are expected to worsen — especially near the immediate coastline in Louisiana.
“Bertha is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches with isolated higher totals to 6 inches through Thursday along the central to the western Gulf Coast from western Florida to southern Texas. This rainfall may produce isolated flash flooding, especially in urban areas,” wrote the National Hurricane Center.
By Thursday morning, Bertha will probably still be inching along the Louisiana coastline and moving toward Texas, where scattered downpours are expected into Thursday night — potentially including places such as Houston and Galveston.
Bertha may ingest wildfire smoke
In an unusual twist, wildfire smoke that’s drifting across the country, mostly from numerous fires in the Northwest, may contribute to Bertha’s weakening from Wednesday into Thursday.
This cooler, drier air could also help minimize impacts from Bertha on Thursday across Texas, where deadly floods occurred last week.
Severe storms were moving through the Philadelphia region Tuesday, bringing with them the potential for flooding and tornadoes.
The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly issued a flash flood warning for the area that was slated to be in effect through 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, as thunderstorms and heavy showers made their way to the region. Forecasters had predicted potentially unsettled weather that was expected to bring “several rounds” of rain.
“Even the first round we get could result in flooding,” said Paul Fitzsimmons, lead meteorologist at the weather service’s Mount Holly office. “With successive rounds, that results in an increased threat.”
The idea, Fitzsimmons added, is that once the ground is saturated with rain, the precipitation from future rounds of rain will have few places, if any, to go.
On Tuesday afternoon, the weather service also issued a tornado watch for the Philadelphia region and beyond. That tornado watch, which the weather service said applies to parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Connecticut, is in effect through 9 p.m. Tuesday.
The tornado watch impacts more than 32 million people, and covers possible tornados, scattered, ping pong ball-sized hail, and wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour, according to the weather service.
Additional, more organized rounds of rain were expected to arrive later in the day, with multiple storms potentially hitting the region into the overnight period, according to the weather service. Rainfall rates could push into the neighborhood of one to two inches per hour at times.
The most severe weather, which could bring damaging winds, hail, and a possible tornado, was expected to arrive between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Fitzsimmons said.
Tuesday saw high temperatures in the 80s, but with very high humidity to start out. The storms were expected to alleviate some of that humidity, opening the way for cooler, drier days to come later this week.
It is not uncommon for weather setups to arrive with similar impacts in this way, Fitzsimmons said. It is, however, hard to say how long those patterns might last.
“There is something to the idea where you can get into patterns that repeat themselves,” he said.
Impacts from Canadian wildfire smoke increased throughout the Philadelphia region Friday, degrading air quality enough to prompt a code purple alert, and force the closure or suspension of some city amenities and services.
It was the latest bad weather event in Philadelphia’s run of tough luck in July, which has so far resulted in record-setting heat and destructive storms that have marred back-to-back weekends. Smoky conditions arrived Thursday, and were bad enough Friday to prompt the closure of city pools and spraygrounds, and temporarily stop trash pickup.
“Our worsening air quality is a dangerous development,” Palak Raval-Nelson, commissioner of the city Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “I strongly encourage all residents to take action to protect themselves by staying indoors, unless they need to be outdoors.”
Likewise, the Philadelphia Zoo remained closed Friday, saying in a statement that its animals were being “closely monitored.” The city, however, stopped short of recommending the cancellation of outdoor events, and large productions like comedian Shane Gillis’ performance at Lincoln Financial Field and a Death Cab for Cutie performance at the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts were still set to go on as of late afternoon.
Officials said that venue owners had been advised of the conditions, and were able to make their own decisions as to whether those events would happen.
Trash collection in the city was expected to cautiously resume Saturday, officials said. Resumption of services was contingent upon improvement in air quality conditions, which vacillated between code purple and the comparatively less severe code red Friday.
“We will make judgment decisions as to when we will resume collections in terms of a start time tomorrow,” said Carlton Williams, director of the Philadelphia Office of Clean and Green Initiatives. “But we do plan on working all day Saturday and Sunday to ensure that last week’s trash and recycling is collected in time for our services to be on a regular schedule starting Monday.”
Pools would reopen Saturday if air conditions were code red or below, said Susan Slawson, commissioner for Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said the Philadelphia region would be under a code orange air quality alert Saturday, marking a decrease in smoke pollution. That alert level, described as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” is the lowest it has been since the wildfire smoke arrived this week.
Air quality conditions in the area were poor Friday morning. The city’s air quality index stood at about 267 as of 7 a.m. Friday — a figure that put it solidly in the “very unhealthy” range, meaning the general public was at risk for serious health effects. It later moved into the code red — or “unhealthy” — range, but stood to potentially again become more severe as the day wore on, Raval-Nelson said.
The city of Chester, however, recorded an air quality index of 312 early Friday, putting it in the “hazardous” range — the highest on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s scale. It later dipped into the “very unhealthy” range.
The region’s smoky conditions were expected to last at least until Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly said. The sky’s hazy appearance, according to meteorologists, came from northwest winds that blanketed the region with particulate-filled air that was expected to stick around through the start of the weekend.
However, by Saturday, an anticipated storm system should clear the smoke out — though that development would likely come with its own risks. That system, said weather service meteorologist Joe DeSilva, could also bring “multiple rounds” of showers and thunderstorms, as well as the potential for flash flooding and possibly damaging winds — as well as a potential tornado.
“It definitely looks like damaging winds will be the primary hazard type,” he said.
City officials warned residents to prepare for potential flooding due to heavy rainfall Saturday. A flood watch will be in effect from 10 a.m. Saturday through 2 a.m. Sunday, the city’s Office of Emergency Management said, as storms could produce up to 2 or 3 inches of rain per hour.
Philadelphia is not the only area at risk this weekend. Berks, Carbon, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Lehigh, Bucks, Monroe, and Northampton Counties also face dangers from the storm, as do portions of northern Delaware and parts of New Jersey including Camden and Gloucester Counties.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the city said. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.”
The risk of storm damage Saturday comes a week after high winds and four “microburst” storms downed nearly 300 trees in the city, and left tens of thousands of residents without electricity. As a result of that storm, Philadelphia still remains under a disaster emergency declaration amid its ongoing recovery.
On Friday, officials encouraged city residents to “do what you have been doing since last week’s storm” in the face of renewed threats.
“As Mayor Parker constantly reminds us, we are one Philly,” said Adam Thiel, managing director of the city of Philadelphia. “We are a united city, as our entire city workforce, along with our residents, our neighbors, our communities, continue to move us forward through this unprecedented year.”
Staff writers Rob Tornoe and Emily Bloch contributed to this article.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is opening three resource centers this weekend in Philadelphia to aid the hundreds of people who experienced damage from last weekend’s major storms.
Each center will have representatives from state and city agencies, including the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Philadelphia Housing Authority, Peco, and local community organizations.
Visitors can receive resources and assistance with their insurance coverage, avoiding scams, benefits and disability support, and other information related to the storm’s damage and aftermath.
Four “microburst” storms downed hundreds of trees in Philadelphia and Montgomery County Saturday in just a few minutes. The brief storms brought wind gusts between 60 to 70 mph, and toppled trees that had likely been weakened after weeks of heavy snow cover this winter.
The three resource centers will be held at the following dates and locations:
Saturday, July 18: Noon to 8 p.m. at Lucien Blackwell Community Center, 761 N. 47th St.
Sunday, July 19: Noon to 8 p.m. at Vare Recreation Center, 2600 Morris St.
Monday, July 20: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Wynnefield Library, 5325 Overbrook Ave.
The city’s Office of Emergency Management has received more than 1,000 reports of storm damage from residents as of Thursday, according to a PEMA spokesperson. The agency encourages residents who experienced damage to their homes, businesses or other property to fill out the city’s online damage survey so officials can properly document damages and allocate resources appropriately.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to blanket the region, casting a haze across the sky and posing a risk for people with respiratory issues.
With massive fires burning across Western Ontario, forecasters said wind patterns shifted this week to allow the smoke from those fires to enter the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States.
The city raised the air quality alert level from code red to code purple — meaning the air is “very unhealthy” and can cause health issues for all people.
Friday morning, at least six of the city’s air quality sensors were registering above 200 in the amount of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide in the air, a metric called the air quality index. The city website tracking air data warned people to stay inside, keep windows and doors closed, and run air purifiers if possible. Those who must venture outside should wear N95 or KN95 masks.
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An AQI between 150 and 200 is still considered unhealthy to breathe with prolonged exposure, according to the EPA. Children, older people, and those with respiratory issues could be particularly susceptible to health issues. In air quality alerts issued by the National Weather Service, forecasters recommended avoiding prolonged outdoor exposure, particularly activities like exercise.
By Friday a prior heat advisory had been lifted, with temperatures expected to near 90. Air quality tends to worsen in dense, urban environments during hot weather.
Forecasters urged residents across the eastern United States, particularly those with respiratory issues, to monitor alerts from local officials and be mindful of conditions where they live or work.
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If you’re not able to zoom in on the above map, click here for another version.
The wildfire smoke in Philly is forecast to last into the weekend — and be followed by storms
A man gets back into his car from the side of the highway as hazy skies cover the city skyline caused by wildfires in Canada on Friday, July 17, 2026, in Philadelphia.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
Impacts from Canadian wildfire smoke increased throughout the Philadelphia region Friday, degrading air quality enough to prompt a code purple alert, and force the closure or suspension of some city amenities and services.
It was the latest bad weather event in Philadelphia’s run of tough luck in July, which has so far resulted in record-setting heat and destructive storms that have marred back-to-back weekends. Smoky conditions arrived Thursday, and were bad enough Friday to prompt the closure of city pools and spraygrounds, and temporarily stop trash pickup.
“Our worsening air quality is a dangerous development,” Palak Raval-Nelson, commissioner of the city Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “I strongly encourage all residents to take action to protect themselves by staying indoors, unless they need to be outdoors.”
Likewise, the Philadelphia Zoo remained closed Friday, saying in a statement that its animals were being “closely monitored.” The city, however, stopped short of recommending the cancelation of outdoor events, and large productions like comedian Shane Gillis’ performance at Lincoln Financial Field and a Death Cab for Cutie performance at the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts were still set to go on as of late afternoon.
Officials said that venue owners had been advised of the conditions, and were able to make their own decisions as to whether those events would happen.
Trash collection in the city was expected to cautiously resume Saturday, officials said. Resumption of services was contingent upon improvement in air quality conditions, which vacillated between code purple and the comparatively less severe code red Friday.
A man adjusts his mask before crossing the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Friday, July 17, 2026, in Philadelphia.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection early Friday evening said air quality continues to improve throughout the state and storms on Saturday will help.
The agency issued a Code Orange air quality alert for Saturday in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. The rest of the state is expected to remain in the Code Yellow, or moderate range.
This is an improvement from the Code Red and Code Purple conditions that resulted Friday from the wildfire smoke from Canada.
Rain and thunderstorms on Saturday are expected to help, but improvements will be slower in Southeastern Pennsylvania because the rain will arrive later, the agency said.
During Code Orange alerts, people should avoid long or intense outdoor activities, the agency said. Sensitive groups, including children, elderly residents, and those with respiratory illnesses should avoid all outdoor activities.
The agency storngly advised people to check airnow.gov for current air quality conditions in their area, as conditions may change throughout the day.
Saturday evening gospel concert at Dell Music Center postponed due to air quality
The “Praise Under the Stars” gospel concert at the Dell Music Center scheduled for Saturday evening has been postponed, the center said Friday.
A new concert date would be announced soon, the center said.
“Due to the hazardous air quality conditions affecting our region as a result of the ongoing Canadian wildfires, Praise Under the Stars, scheduled for Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Dell Music Center, has been postponed out of an abundance of caution,” the center said on its website.
“The safety and well-being of our guests, artists, vendors, and staff remain our highest priority. While we are disappointed to postpone this special event, we believe it is the responsible decision given the current environmental conditions,” the center said.
“A new concert date will be announced as soon as possible. All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the rescheduled event,” the center said.
“We sincerely appreciate your understanding, patience, and continued support of the Dell Music Center. Please stay safe, and we look forward to welcoming you back soon,” the center said.
Flights were delayed into Philadelphia due to low visibility
Air traffic at the Philadelphia International Airport is seen here in November 2025.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground delay on flights headed into Philadelphia International Airport Friday afternoon due to low visibility caused by wildfire smoke.
According to FlightAware, 170 flights have been delayed heading into PHL Friday. Currently, the average delay for flights into Philly is 67 minutes, while the longest top out more than two hours.
Departing Philly, there have been 72 delays due to poor visibility.
Travelers are encouraged to check with their airlines for the latest flight information, as the impact of Canadian wildfires is expected to linger across the Philadelphia region Saturday.
The amphitheater at Rose Tree Park in Media, Pa.Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
Delaware County is canceling two events in Media due to unhealthy air quality conditions — Friday night’s Summer Concert Series at Rose Tree Park and Saturday’s Upper Darby Summer Stage Shooting Stars performance.
“While we understand Delco looks forward to these award-winning performances, we will always continue to put our resident’s health and safety first,” officials said in a statement.
Philly reduced its air quality alert and plans to resume trash collection as well as reopen city pools
A biker wearing a mask along South Broad Street due to the poor air quality.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia officials said city sanitation services would cautiously resume Saturday, when smoky conditions brought to the area by Canadian wildfires are expected to improve.
City pools, which were closed Friday amid code purple air quality, were also expected to reopen, pending the air conditions the weekend brings, officials said at a Friday afternoon news conference.
“We will make judgment decisions as to when we will resume collections in terms of a start time tomorrow,” said Carlton Williams, director of the Philadelphia Office of Clean and Green Initiatives. “But we do plan on working all day Saturday and Sunday to ensure that last week’s trash and recycling is collected in time for our services to be on a regular schedule starting Monday.”
Palak Raval-Nelson, the commissioner of the city’s Department of Public Health, said air conditions had at least temporarily improved by Friday afternoon, moving from the more serious code purple to the less severe code red.
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Despite that change, air conditions remained unhealthy, and officials advised that residents remain inside if possible, and limit their exposure outside to no more than 90 minutes at a time.
Air conditions, Raval-Nelson added, could also change again back to code purple, and officials were monitoring the situation.
Pools, said city Parks and Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson, would reopen Saturday if air conditions were code red or below. If air conditions creeped back into code purple territory, they would remain closed, Slawson said.
Officials said that venue owners had been advised of the conditions, and were able to make their own decisions as to whether those events would continue to go on.
“We provide them with the information, and they make their decisions,” said city Managing Director Adam Thiel.
Storms could clear wildfire smoke Saturday, but flooding is possible
Lightning over Center City Philadelphia is seen from above the Camden Childrens Garden last week..Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
The city is warning people to prepare for potential flooding Saturday as heavy rainfall is expected to douse the region.
The forecasted Saturday storms likely will clear the wildfire smoke that has hung over the city since Thursday, the National Weather Service said. However, these “multiple rounds of storms” may cause flooding.
The flood watch is in effect from 10 a.m. Saturday through 2 a.m. Sunday, the city’s office of emergency management said. Storms may produce rainfall of two or three inches per hour.
“Be prepared to take action in the event that flooding develops,” the city said. It directed people to a website offering tips and resources.
Berks, Carbon, Delaware, Chester, Montgomery, Lehigh, Bucks, Monroe, and Northampton Counties also are all at risk. So are portions of northern Delaware and parts of New Jersey, including Camden and Gloucester Counties.
“Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,” the city said. “Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.”
Flooding may not be the only problem. Friday morning, the National Weather Service said high winds and a potential tornado could also hit the area Saturday. On Saturday, high winds from four “microburst” storms downed nearly 300 trees in Philadelphia and left tens of thousands of residents without electricity. Philadelphia remains under a disaster emergency declaration as it recovers from those storms.
Bebe Rexha’s FIFA Fan Festival performance appears to still be on
FIFA Fan Festival is going on as scheduled, despite air quality issues.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
As FIFA Fan Festival at Philly’s Lemon Hill winds down in its last week of activity, Friday’s Bebe Rexha performance is still a go.
The dance pop artist’s free performance at Fan Fest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. with gates opening at 5 p.m.
So far, organizers haven’t announced any schedule changes. On Thursday, DEADMAU5’s free performance also went on as scheduled despite the air quality concerns.
The grounds are also scheduled to be open this weekend for the World Cup’s closing matches.
A Death Cab For Cutie and Japanese Breakfast concert at the Mann Center Friday is still on
Death Cab For Cutie play the Highmark Mann on Friday, with Japanese Breakfast opening.Ryan Russell
Friday’s Death Cab for Cutie headlining show at the TD Pavilion at Highmark Mann was expected to proceed as scheduled.
That’s according to officials at the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts. Neither Death Cab for Cutie nor Japanese Breakfast, who is opening, have commented so far.
Anticipation is high for the show, featuring Japanese Breakfast, whose front woman Michelle Zauner has Philly ties. Friday’s show would mark Zauner’s first Philly performance since announcing her pregnancy at her band’s Governors Ball show.
On social media channels, fans have started game-planning: discussing wearing N95 masks to the show as a precaution as questions about the air quality linger.
And while the show must go on (for now at least) at the Highmark Mann and Shane Gillis at the Linc, smaller shows, like a Friday night concert and movie night, are being canceled.
According to a statement, the Chicago 9’s performance at Lindenwold Park and Movies with Metro at Von Nieda Park in Camden are off, citing the air quality.
“Not canceling cause of the smoke,” the Mechanicsburg, Pa., native and Eagles die-hard fan posted on his Instagram story, with a sneak peek at the outdoor stage.
Shane Gillis says his comedy show at Lincoln Financial Field Friday night won’t be canceled.Shane Gillis / Instagram
Gillis is expected to perform his edgy, often controversial comedy to a near-capacity crowd. Unnamed special guests are also billed to make appearances.
Gillis cut his teeth in the Philly comedy scene after graduating from West Chester University. He landed a gig at Saturday Night Live butwas fired from the show for having made homophobic and racist jokes on a podcast.
As smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to impact air quality across the region, New Jersey is handing out masks to commuters forced to be outdoors.
“I’ve directed NJ TRANSIT and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to make select quantities of masks available to commuters and at rest areas along the Turnpike and Parkway. The Port Authority will also be distributing masks,” Gov. Mikie Sherrill said in a statement shared on social media.
Air quality across New Jersey was in the “unhealthy” range as of 10 a.m. Friday morning, with South Jersey faring worse than the northern part of the state.
A station in East Greenwich Township, Gloucester County, reported an air quality index of 191, while Atlantic City was 173, both in the unhealthy range.
During Phillies game, smoke-filled skies were ‘not ideal’ for players
Smoke-filled air lingers over Citizens Bank Park Thursday night. Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
The Phillies aren’t scheduled to play again until late Saturday afternoon, but Thursday’s game was moved up an hour early because air quality was expected to worsen after sunset.
The forecast proved correct. When the game started, the air quality index was at 157, according to airnow.gov, categorized as “unhealthy.” It rose to 166 by 8 p.m., with the Center City skyline no longer visible from South Philly. By 9 p.m., it was 192.
“It’s not ideal,” Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola said. “But it is what it is. Can’t really do anything about it. It’s one of those days where it was smoky. But I mean, it’s an outdoor stadium. You’ve got to get the game in and play through different conditions.”
Brandon Marsh said home-plate umpire Dan Iassogna, also the crew chief, repeatedly asked players throughout the game if they didn’t feel well or if the conditions were disruptive in the game.
“Yeah, multiple times they were checking with us, asking us players — which was cool to see — if we were good to go, and obviously we were all ready to go,“ Marsh said. ”That was good by them. I wasn’t expecting that, but that was good.”
The Phillies and Mets also altered their pregame routines. Neither team took batting practice on the field and spent “as little time as possible on the field,” interim manager Don Mattingly said.
“Just doing what you absolutely feel like you have to do after being gone for three days,” he added. “Not trying to absorb a bunch of energy when you’re getting heated.”
Current look at air quality in Philly and across the area
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// Timestamp 07/17/26 9:13am
Smoke likely to stay until Saturday afternoon, National Weather Service says
Hazy skies over the Navy Yard in Philadelphia Thursday.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
Shifting winds may give Philly a break from the smoke today, but the air quality is likely to remain poor until at least Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service said Friday.
Wildfires continue to burn in Western Ontario, and northwest winds are blanketing the region with particulate-filled air that gives the sky its hazy appearance, said meteorologist Joe DeSilva.
“As winds shift more northerly today, that’ll push the majority of the smoke south of our area briefly. A resurgence of the smoke is expected tonight as winds shift again,” DeSilva said.
The smoke is forecast out over the next 48 hours, and it’s difficult to predict what happens beyond that timeline, DeSilva said.
However, a storm system expected Saturday should clear the smoke out, he said.
That system will bring its own hazards. DeSilva predicted “multiple rounds” of showers and thunderstorms Saturday, bringing the potential for flash flooding. In addition, “damaging winds” are likely, with the potential for a tornado.
“It definitely looks like damaging winds will be the primary hazard type,” he said.
‘Hazardous’ air quality recorded in Chester as smoke lingers across the region
Air quality across the Philadelphia was poor Friday morning due to wildfire smoke from Canada, with most of the area in the “very unhealthy” zone.
The city of Chester was among the worse, hitting an air quality index of 312 at 7 a.m. Friday. A reading over 300 is considered “hazardous,” with air quality so poor it could be dangerous to everyone.
By 9 a.m., the number dipped down a bit to 279, solidly in the “very unhealthy” category.
An air quality station in Philadelphia The Inquirer is tracking peaked at 291 Thursday night, but had dropped to 250 by Friday morning.
Philly pools are closed and trash pickup suspended as residents are encouraged to stay indoors
The Philadelphia Museum of Art is behind a smoky haze Thursday.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia pools and spraygrounds will be closed Friday and trash pickup is suspended due to “very unhealthy” air quality caused by Canadian wildfires.
“Our worsening air quality is a dangerous development,” Palak Raval-Nelson, the commissioner of the city’s Department of Public Health, said in a statement. “I strongly encourage all residents to take action to protect themselves by staying indoors, unless they need to be outdoors.”
As of 7 a.m., Philadelphia’s air quality index was 267, solidly in the middle of the “very unhealthy” range, which means the the general public is at risk for serious heath effects.
Especially at risk are residents with heart or lung conditions, who should take “extra special care” outdoors, Raval-Nelson said. Children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk.
Raval-Nelson said residents should avoid going outdoors unless necessary, and those that do leave should wear an N95 or KN95 mask.
“This situation is dangerous, and if we all take care and look out for each other we will get through this,” Raval-Nelson said at a news conference Thursday night.
People experiencing symptoms including trouble breathing, heart palpitations, nausea, or dizziness are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention.
Despite the warning, most city services will operate normally. The city is not recommending outdoor events be canceled, and employees working outdoors are being encouraged to take frequent breaks and mask up.
A ‘code purple’ air quality alert is in place across Pennsylvania
John Burns Jr., of Grays Ferry, Philadelphia, Pa., sits out at Cherry Street Pier with the wildfire smoke from Canada Thursday.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
The smoke, which is expected to blanket the region at least through Friday, originated from fires burning in Western Ontario, said Sarah Johnson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a Code Purple Air Quality Alert for Friday. Code purple signifies very unhealthy air, meaning people should avoid long or intense outdoor activities, and sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor activities. The department suggested not using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, and avoiding the burning of leaves or trash.
The smoke was swept in by winds that mixed to keep it closer to the ground.
“It’s just a factor of the winds at all levels kind of working together,” Johnson explained.
It is difficult to pinpoint when the air quality might return to normal, she said. Those forecasts come from state environmental protection departments and are usually no more than 48 hours out.
Rain forecast for Saturday could help suppress the smoke, Johnson said, but it’s too early to be sure.
What to know about the wildfire smoke in Philly and its health impacts
Penn State graduate student Ray Boone waits for the bus with a face mask because of the air quality Thursday.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
As Canada grapples with hundreds of active wildfires, the rest of North America is feeling the impacts with air quality alerts.
In Philadelphia and elsewhere, the air quality score is considered very unhealthy, particularly for the most sensitive people.
Whether you are planning to go out or stay home, here’s what three experts had to say about staying healthy and what precautions are needed:
What makes this smoke so toxic?
Exposure to this particular fire smoke is a serious matter due to “photochemical aging,” said Eric Balaban, a pulmonary and critical care fellow at Temple University.
As smoke travels, it interacts with oxygen, heat, and sunlight, creating a toxic profile that helps generate high levels of ground-level ozone and highly irritating aerosols, Balaban said.
Ground-level ozone is a pollutant that forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organics emitted by vehicles, power plants, and industry react in sunlight, especially during hot days such as Thursday.
The pollutants aren’t the only problem.
The fine particulate matter within the smoke is small enough to cross from the lungs directly into the bloodstream, Balaban said, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, in addition to causing acute chest tightness, shortness of breath, and dizziness in otherwise healthy people.
This map shows air quality in the Northeastern U.S.
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The sun peeks through a blanket of smoke over the Chicago skyline Thursday.JAMIE KELTER DAVISThe Statue of Liberty, seen from the Staten Island Ferry as smoke from wildfires blankets the sky.Yuki IwamuraA man walks along the Detroit River during poor air quality due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.Paul SancyaChildren look out at downtown Toronto from the observation deck of the CN Tower.IAN WILLMSA watercraft sits in the Detroit River near the skyline during poor air quality due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.Paul Sancya
Canadian wildfire photos: How things look elsewhere
As Canada grapples with hundreds of active wildfires, the rest of North America is feeling the impact with air quality alerts.
In Philadelphia and elsewhere, the air quality score is considered unhealthy, particularly for the most sensitive people.
Whether you are planning to go out or stay home, here’s what three experts had to say about staying healthy and what precautions are needed:
What makes this smoke so toxic?
Exposure to this particular fire smoke is a serious matter due to “photochemical aging,” said Eric Balaban, a pulmonary and critical care fellow at Temple University.
As smoke travels, it interacts with oxygen, heat, and sunlight, creating a toxic profile that helps generate high levels of ground-level ozone and highly irritating aerosols, Balaban said.
Ground-level ozone is a pollutant that forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organics emitted by vehicles, power plants, and industry react in sunlight, especially during hot days such as Thursday.
The pollutants aren’t the only problem.
The fine particulate matter within the smoke is small enough to cross from the lungs directly into the bloodstream, Balaban said, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes, in addition to causing acute chest tightness, shortness of breath, and dizziness in otherwise healthy people.
Who is at risk during the current unhealthy air quality?
Philly’s air quality score was in the red stage Thursday, according to the Philadelphia department of public health, meaning we are breathing air considered unhealthy. The state Department of Environmental Protection issued a code purple alert for Friday, the second-highest step on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s color scale, which indicates “very unhealthy air.”
It is not the hazardous condition of the maroon level reached in Minnesota, where everyone is presumed to be impacted. But, for Ruth McDermott-Levy, a professor at Villanova University’s school of nursing, “all of us are at risk.”
The risks increase for those with preexisting conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
“Certainly there are groups of people at greater risk, from pregnant women, children, older people, and those with cardiac and respiratory illnesses. But we’re at an unhealthy level for everyone,” McDermott-Levy said.
Symptoms of poor air quality and sensitive populations
While most of the city is continuing daily life as normal, Michele Columbo, the allergy and immunology chief at Main Line Health, urged people to keep an eye on how their bodies react to the air quality.
People can experience “difficulty breathing, dry cough, wheezing, tightness in the chess, and even feel light headed because of [the added] high heat,” Columbo said.
Children in particular are at risk because they breathe faster than adults. And, pregnant people in the third trimester can already be experiencing difficulty breathing without the added contaminants to their lungs.
Adults 65 years or older, individuals with cardiovascular disease, asthma, and other respiratory issues can also be more affected.
What precautions to take if you go outside during unhealthy air levels?
Columbo cautioned people from staying outside for more than a couple of minutes at the time, and even encouraged rescheduling outdoor activities.
If you can’t avoid going outside, wear an N-95 mask, he said.
Traditional surgical face masks are not meant to keep out the kind of pollutant particles that fire brings. During the 2023 Canada wildfires, experts recommended KN95 and N95 masks as the best options.
Both Columbo and Balaban urged patients with preexisting conditions to make sure they have extra respiratory medications and inhalers on hand.
“Anybody with respiratory problems should seek medical advice because it is better to be proactive and inquire medical personnel before the respiratory problem might become potentially more serious,” Columbo said.
Should you take any precautions if staying inside?
Balaban recommends replacing the home air-conditioning filters to improve indoor air quality.
Is fire-related unhealthy air quality the new normal?
For McDermott-Levy, the newest round of wildfires from Canada, as well as the second heat dome to descend on the area in as many weeks, are a window into the future we might already be living in.
“This is climate change and we are living it,” she said.
Balaban encouraged the public to address the “root cause” of it through civic action.
“We have opportunities to mitigate and prevent these environmental catastrophes from happening, but it is something that we need to agree to do together,” he said.
The polluted campfire-like vaporfrom Canadian wildfires plummeted air quality Thursday, lowered visibility enough that flights were delayed at Philadelphia International Airport, and prompted cancellation of a concert at Cooper River Park in Camden County.The Phillies moved Thursday night’s game up one hour due to air quality concerns.
The smoke, which was expected to blanket the region at least through Friday, originated from fires burning in Western Ontario, said Sarah Johnson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office.
It was swept in by winds that mixed to keep it closer to the ground.
“It’s just a factor of the winds at all levels kind of working together,” Johnson explained.
It is difficult to pinpoint when the air quality might return to normal, she said. Those forecasts come from state environmental protection departments and are usually no more than 48 hours out.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a Code Purple Air Quality Alert for Friday. Code purple signifies very unhealthy air, meaning people should avoid long or intense outdoor activities, and sensitive groups should avoid all outdoor activities. The department suggested not using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, and avoiding the burning of leaves or trash.
Rain forecast for Saturday could help suppress the smoke, Johnson said, but on Thursday afternoon it was too early to be sure.
Poor air quality caused by the fires remained the biggest issue as they burned through forests and buildings before their smoke swept south, collecting ambient pollution from Boston, New York, and other areas before reaching Philadelphia.
Philadelphia issued a Code Red Air Quality Caution Day on Thursday, meaning some people were at risk of experiencing health effects, including elevated risks forpeople with heart or lung disease, asthma, older adults, children, pregnant people, immunocompromised people, people experiencing homelessness, people who use drugs, people without access to air filtration, and outdoor workers.
The city advised people to limit their time outdoors and consider rescheduling activities.
“Today is not the day to start your marathon training plan,” Palak Raval-Nelson, commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, said in a statement.
Penn State graduate student Ray Boone waits for the bus with a face mask on because of the air quality, on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 17th Street and JFK Boulevard in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide Code Red air quality day due to Canadian wildfire smoke blowing into the Philadelphia region.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
High temps increase risks
The smoke affected thousands of square miles in the region, from the Poconos to the Shore through Delaware.
The Air Quality Index, or AQI, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was in the unhealthy range for all of the region as of 4 p.m. Thursday. The index ranges from 0 to 500. Unhealthy is from 151 to 200.
Censors in Centre County, Pa., recorded a hazardous AQI of 345 by Thursday afternoon, the highest and most dangerous level. Other sensors in Lycoming and Bradford Counties recorded AQIs above 200, or very unhealthy.
Not helping: Temperatures in the 90s with humidity so high that it made it feel in excess of 100 degrees.
Julie and Bill Guise, 66 and 72, respectively, basked in the somewhat cool breeze billowing from a giant fan inside the President’s House complex at Independence National Historical Park, hoping to get relief from the oppressive air. The Flagstaff, Ariz., residents, however, were unaware of what exactly was causing it.
“We couldn’t figure out what it was,” Bill Guise said of the haze in the atmosphere.
But it did not change their plans. The couple are used to wildfires.
“It’s much worse out West,” Julie Guise added, likening the western smoke, when it’s extra bad, to sitting next to a campfire.
Eric Balaban, a pulmonary and critical care fellow at Temple University, was hesitant but still went running Thursday morning.
“If I didn’t have an addiction to running, I would not have gone. And I would recommend other people not to run. Do as I say, not as I do,” he said with a laugh.
But exposure to the smoke is a serious matter, Balaban said. He noted that the smoke that travels “carries a uniquely toxic profile that poses severe health risks to both healthy individuals and vulnerable populations.”
Ruth McDermott-Levy, a professor at Villanova University’s school of nursing, said that air quality had become a risk not only for those already suffering from health issues, but for everyone.
“All of us are at risk,” McDermott-Levy said. “Certainly there are groups of people at greater risk, from pregnant women, children, older people, and those with cardiac and respiratory illnesses. But we’re at an unhealthy level for everyone.”
The Philadelphia Museum of Art behind a smokey haze on Thursday, July 16, 2026 in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide Code Red air quality day due to Canadian wildfire smoke blowing into the Philadelphia region.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
What’s in the air?
The two major pollutants of concern are ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter known as PM2.5.
Ground-level ozone is a pollutant that forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organics emitted by vehicles, power plants, and industry react in sunlight, especially during hot days. It can cause airways to constrict, leading to shortness of breath. It can especially affect those with asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Fine particulate matter is so small that it can cross from the lungs directly into the bloodstream, bringing a body-wide exposure that can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, in addition to causing acute chest tightness, shortness of breath, and dizziness in otherwise healthy people.
The sun sets in a hazy sky over the Pennsylvania Turnpike Wednesday, July 15, 2026 as the Canadian and Great Lakes wildfire smoke moves into the region’ This at the Highspire Service Plaza], eastbound near Middletown.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Staff writer Nate File contributed to this article.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide code red air quality day due to Canadian wildfire smoke blowing into the Philadelphia region.
The poor air quality prompted the start time for the Phillies-Mets game to be moved an hour earlier. A Phillies game was postponed in June 2023 due to air quality issues caused by wildfire smoke.
A heat advisory is also in effect in Philadelphia, where the heat index could reach 100 degrees. There’s also the potential for an isolated thunderstorm this evening between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m.
// Timestamp 07/16/26 7:00pm
Suffocating dome of smoke descends over Philly region
John Burns Jr., of Grays Ferry Philadelphia, Pa., sitting out at Cherry Street Pier with the wildfire smoke from Canada in Philadelphia, Pa., on Thursday, July 16, 2026.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
The polluted campfire-like vaporfrom Canadian wildfires plummeted air quality Thursday, lowered visibility enough that flights were delayed at Philadelphia International Airport, and prompted cancellation of a concert at Cooper River Park in Camden County.The Phillies moved Thursday night’s game up one hour due to air quality concerns.
The smoke, which was expected to blanket the region at least through Friday, originated from fires burning in Western Ontario, said Sarah Johnson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office.
It was swept in by winds that mixed to keep it closer to the ground.
“It’s just a factor of the winds at all levels kind of working together,” Johnson explained.
It is difficult to pinpoint when the air quality might return to normal, she said. Those forecasts come from state environmental protection departments and are usually no more than 48 hours out.
What to know about the wildfire smoke in Philly and its health impacts
Penn State graduate student Ray Boone waits for the bus with a face mask on because of the air quality, on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 17th Street and JFK Boulevard in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide Code Red air quality day due to Canadian wildfire smoke blowing into the Philadelphia region.Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
As Canada grapples with hundreds of active wildfires, the rest of North America is feeling the impactsstruggles with air quality alerts.
In Philadelphia and elsewhere, the air quality score is considered unhealthy, particularly for the most sensitive people.
Whether you are planning on going out or staying home, here’s what three experts had to say about staying healthy and what precautions are needed:
Pennsylvania DEP issues statewide code purple alert for Friday
Air quality is expected to continue to deteriorate Friday, with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issuing a code purple alert for the entire state as smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota continue to blanket the area.
A code purple alert indicates “very unhealthy” air quality conditions, which could effect the general population. It is the second-highest step on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s color scale, with only maroon — which indicates a “hazardous” air quality — outranking it.
Department officials advised all residents to limit their time and exertion levels outside. Sensitive groups — including children, elderly people, and people with respiratory illnesses — are advised to avoid outdoor activities altogether.
Friday’s code purple alert is one step above Thursday’s code red.
The state DEP advised that residents and businesses should avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment, and not burn leaves or trash to help keep fine particulate pollution levels down amid the alert.
The Phillies’ game against the New York Mets will begin an hour earlier than initially scheduled, due to air quality concerns.
Now, the game will start at 6:10 p.m., the Phillies announced Thursday afternoon. Gate opening times, however, will stay the same, with third base and left-field entrances opening at 5:10 p.m., and all other gates opening a half hour later.
Thursday’s game was initially scheduled to start at 7:10 p.m., and will kick off a three-game series against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park.
In 2023, the Phillies postponed a game against the Detroit Tigers over air quality issues from Canadian wildfires.
Air quality is ‘potentially pretty dangerous’ for sensitive groups
Thursday’s smoky air is not just overshadowing Philadelphia’s summer sky; it’s also clouding your lungs.
The city’s air quality score is in the red stage, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. It is not as hazardous as the maroon level, but the air is still considered unhealthy — particularly for more sensitive populations.
“It’s potentially pretty dangerous air quality to individuals who are fragile,” said Dr. Michele Columbo, the allergy and immunology chief at Main Line Health. “They can have difficulty breathing, dry cough, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and even feel light-headed because of high heat.”
You might not consider yourself “fragile,” but Columbo said people 65 or older, folks with asthma or any kind of lung issues, individuals with cardiovascular disease, children, and pregnant women are the most affected by the current air conditions.
While most of the city is continuing daily life as normal, Columbo cautions people in the sensitive category against staying outside for more than a couple of minutes at a time, and even encourages rescheduling outdoor activities.
Children in particular are at risk because they breathe faster than adults. And pregnant people in the third trimester may already be experiencing difficulty breathing without the added contaminants to their lungs.
Folks falling in this category should stay inside, where setting the air-conditioning to recirculation can help, Columbo said. For people who can’t avoid going outside, wear an N-95 mask, he added.
Columbo also urged patients with chronic respiratory problems to make sure to carry and use their inhalers when outside.
A statewide code red air emergency and heat advisory is not stopping global EDM phenomenon Deadmau5 from headlining FIFA Fan Festival in Lemon Hill Thursday night.
As air quality reaches unhealthy levels, according to five monitoring stations across the city, and the heat index could read 100 degrees, Fan Fest officials said the festivities and Deadmau5 performance would go on as scheduled.
“We encourage the public to take proper precautions if attending Fan Fest today,” said Melissa Ferdinand of Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the host city committee that runs the festival.
The festival opens from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with Deadmau5 taking the stage at 7 p.m. The Ghosts N Stuff producer posted to Instagram three hours ago that he was en route to Philly, and just so happened to bump into his contemporary and global DJ icon, Zedd, Thursday morning.
Wildfire smoke not dampening some tourists’ time in Philly: ‘It’s much worse out west’
Julie and Bill Guise, 66 and 72, respectively, basked in the somewhat cool breeze billowing from a giant fan inside the President’s House complex at around 1 p.m. hoping to get relief from the oppressive air. The Flagstaff, Ariz., residents, however, were unaware of what exactly was causing it.
“We couldn’t figure out what it was,” Bill Guise said of the haze in the atmosphere.
It wasn’t out of lack of familiarity with wildfire smoke. It was the opposite. Their region of the country is so often affected by this kind of smoke, and at much closer range, that this level of smokiness didn’t even register to them as wildfire-related.
The couple was in town visiting their son, a jazz bassist and University of the Arts graduate. While the smoky air is uncomfortable for them, as is the general humidity that the desert-dwellers are unaccustomed to, they said it’s unlikely to change their plans for the day.
“We have such limited time here and so many things to do,” Bill Guise said.
The couple was meeting with their son later at Valley Green Inn for dinner and planning on seeing a play tomorrow morning at Penn’s Landing. They don’t plan on letting the haze get in the way.
“It’s much worse out west,” Julie Guise added, likening the western smoke, when it’s extra bad, to sitting next to a campfire.
For father-daughter duo David and Brayden DeMaria, this level of smoke is somewhat of a reprieve from what they were experiencing in Syracuse, N.Y., before they traveled down to Philly.
“We left yesterday morning and it was, like, orange leaving the house,” Brayden DeMaria, 19, said standing outside Independence Hall around 1:30 p.m. “The color of the sky is completely different.”
The two came to town for Wednesday’s Tame Impala concert (though they were mostly there for the opener, Djo) and will return home later today. They planned on packing the day with finishing their trip to Independence Hall, thrifting, and then hitting up Franklin Fountain for ice cream.
Deteriorating air quality appears to be heading toward Philly
Air quality is deteriorating rapidly in Central and Western Pennsylvania this afternoon as smoke from Canadian wildfires pours across the U.S. border, data from government air sensors show.
Air sensors in Centre County recorded an air quality index of 345 at 1 p.m., or hazardous, the highest and most dangerous level tracked by the Environmental Protection Agency. Other sensors in Lycoming and Bradford Counties recorded AQIs above 200, or very unhealthy.
Under these conditions, according to the EPA, the entire population is at risk for adverse health effects with prolonged exposure.
The worst conditions appeared to be gradually drifting southeast across Pennsylvania Thursday afternoon. Forecasts show the thickest smoke reaching the Philadelphia region late Thursday into Friday morning.
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Flights delayed into Philadelphia due to low visibility
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground delay on flights headed into Philadelphia International Airport Thursday due to low visibility caused by wildfire smoke.
According to FlightAware, 148 flights have been delayed heading into PHL Thursday. Currently, the posted delay is 66 minutes and scheduled to remain in place until 11:59 pm.
There are currently no delays on planes departing PHL.
Travelers are encouraged to check with their airlines for the latest flight information, as the impact of Canadian wildfires is expected to linger across the Philadelphia region Friday.
Concert featuring Beach Boys co-founder canceled due to poor air quality
The poor air quality across the Philadelphia region is beginning to impact events scheduled to take place outdoors.
A concert featuring Al Jardine, co-founder of the Beach Boys, scheduled to take place at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken, N.J., at 8 p.m. on Thursday has been canceled, organizers announced.
The show has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4.
There has yet to be any announcements regarding Thursday night’s Phillies game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Temple doc says smoke-filled air has a ‘uniquely toxic profile’
Eric Balaban, a pulmonary and critical care fellow at Temple University, was hesitant but still went running Thursday morning, even as smoke from Canadian wildfires smothered the region.
“If I didn’t have an addiction to running, I would not have gone. And I would recommend other people not to run. Do as I say, not as I do,” he said with a laugh.
But exposure to the smoke is a serious matter, Balaban said. He said that smoke that travels “carries a uniquely toxic profile that poses severe health risks to both healthy individuals and vulnerable populations.”
Balaban said the smoke, which has traveled hundreds of miles, undergoes what’s known as “photochemical aging,” meaning it interacts with oxygen, heat, and sunlight to help generate high levels of ground-level ozone and highly irritating aerosols.
That’s in addition to the ground-level ozone also produced by weather conditions such as on Thursday.
Ground-level ozone is a pollutant that forms when nitrogen oxides and volatile organics emitted by vehicles, power plants, and industry react in sunlight, especially during hot days. It can cause airways to constrict, leading to shortness of breath, so it can especially affect those with asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
Balaban also explained that the fine particulate matter (PM2.5) within the smoke is small enough to cross from the lungs directly into the bloodstream, bringing a body-wide exposure that can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, in addition to causing acute chest tightness, shortness of breath, and dizziness in otherwise healthy people.
Those risks are amplified for those with preexisting conditions like asthma or COPD, he said.
He suggests people replace home air-conditioning filters to improve indoor air quality and, if they have existing conditions, to make sure they have extra respiratory medications and inhalers on hand.
Balaban emphasized the world is undergoing an environmental crisis with climate change, and encouraged the public to address the “root cause” of it through civic action.
“We have opportunities to mitigate and prevent these environmental catastrophes from happening, but it is something that we need to agree to do together,” he said.
People try to beat the heat with a hand fan in limited shade in Center City.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Ruth McDermott-Levy, a professor at Villanova University’s school of nursing, says that not only has air quality become a risk today for those already with health issues, but for everyone.
“All of us are at risk today,” McDermott-Levy said. “Certainly there are groups of people at greater risk, from pregnant women, children, older people, and those with cardiac and respiratory illnesses. But we’re at an unhealthy level for everyone.”
She has previously written an article about the impact of wildfire smoke on health. This newest round of wildfires from Canada, as well as the second heat dome to descend on the area in as many weeks, indicates climate change, she said.
Wildfire smoke is particularly damaging, she said. Wildfires carry not only smoke from burning trees, but from buildings it sweeps up, and pollutants already in the air. That can include pollution coming into Philadelphia from Boston and New York, McDermott-Levy said.
“Wildfire smoke is among the most toxic air pollution that we have,” she said.
She said that pollution not only can penetrate the human bloodstream, but also settles on crops and livestock.
She suggested that those with tickets to tonight’s Phillies game reconsider going, especially children whose lungs are still developing. A Phillies-Tigers game was postponed in 2023 because of Canadian wildfire smoke, but no announcements have been made regarding Thursday’s game.
Meanwhile, high heat and sunlight combine with gases in the air to produce more ground-level ozone.
“This is climate change and we are living it,” she said.
Philly health officials urge residents to limit outdoor activities
Hazy conditions in Center City Philadelphia Thursday, caused by wildfires in Canada.Denali Sagner / staff
With Philadelphia under a Code Red Air Quality Alert, city officials are urging residents to limit their time outdoors.
“Today is not the day to start your marathon training plan,” Palak Raval-Nelson, commissioner of the city’s Department of Public Health, said in a statement.
As of 11 a.m., Philadelphia’s Air Quality Index was 182, solidly in the middle of the “unhealthy” range, which means conditions are bad enough for members of the general public to experience health effects.
Especially at risk are residents with heart or lung conditions, who should take “extra special care” outdoors Thursday, Raval-Nelson said. Children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk.
People experiencing symptoms including trouble breathing, heart palpitations, nausea, or dizziness are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention.
Despite the warning, city services will operate normally. Employees working outdoors are being encouraged to take frequent breaks and should consider wearing a mask, the city said.
Most Philly Parks and Recreation activities will operate normally
City pools will be open Thursday and won’t have restrictions based on air quality.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
The wildfire smoke will not disrupt most Philadelphia Parks and Recreation facilities or activities on Thursday, according to spokesperson Ra’Chelle Rodgers.
The city’s pools and parks will not have restrictions based on air quality, she said. Summer camps may cancel some trips, outdoor sports or other activities on a case-by-case basis, but will otherwise remain open and move indoors.
The department is following the city’s health guidance on air quality, and instructing leaders to monitor the situation and use their best judgment, Rodgers said.
Poor air quality threatens the Phillies-Mets game in South Philly
The Phillies were forced to play in smoky conditions in June 2023, ultimately forcing the team to postpone a game.Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
Wildfire smoke from Canada is creating air quality issues in Philadelphia, threatening to derail the Phillies’ return to the diamond.
The Phillies are scheduled to kick off a three-game series against the New York Mets Thursday at Citizens Bank Park beginning at 7 p.m., but the game could be postponed if conditions in the city don’t improve.
As of 9:30 a.m., Philadelphia’s Air Quality Index was 181, solidly in the middle of the “unhealthy” range, which means conditions are bad enough for members of the general public to experience health effects.
Air quality levels are expected to fluctuate during the day, but issues are forecast to linger through tonight and potentially into Friday, according to Paul Fitzsimmons, lead meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office.
“I think this evening there still will be air quality issues the Philly area and surrounding areas” Fitzsimmons said. “It’s tough to say exactly how bad they will be.”
The Phillies did not respond to a request for comment. The team isn’t scheduled to play Friday, so shifting the game back a day wouldn’t create much of a scheduling headache.
It wouldn’t be the first time the Phillies were impacted by smoke. In June 2023, the team postponed a game against the Detroit Tigers due to air quality issues stemming from Canadian wildfires.
The Phillies-Mets game is the only MLB matchup on the schedule Thursday, as the league restarts following the All-Star break. MLB games scheduled Friday in Toronto, Boston, and New York City, which are all experiencing air quality issues.
The Washington Spirit defeated Gotham FC in National Women’s Soccer League action Wednesday night at Citi Field in New York City, and players said the smoky air had an impact.
Air quality is expected to improved for Sunday’s men’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, which will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Smoke in Philly could linger into Friday afternoon
Hazy skies at Independence Hall and across Center City Philadelphia Thursday.Michelle Myers / staff
The smoke we’re experiencing in Philadelphia is from fires burning in western Ontario and the impact could be felt through at least Friday afternoon, said Sarah Johnson, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Mount Holly office.
The smoke had been lingering high in the atmosphere since Tuesday, but changing wind patterns caused it to mix closer to the ground by late Wednesday afternoon, she said.
“It’s just a factor of the winds at all levels kind of working together,” Johnson explained.
Visibility in the immediate Philadelphia area has dropped to between three to five miles. Visibility of beyond six miles is typical for a sunny, smoke-free day.
Visibility worsens farther north, Johnson said. In the Poconos and Central New Jersey, for example, it has dropped to around one to two miles. Reading is at two miles.
Johnson said that conditions are similar to, but not quite as severe yet, to June 2023 when smoke from Canadian wildfires were so bad they caused the Phillies to postpone a game against the Detroit Tigers.
It’s difficult to pinpoint when the air quality might return to normal, she said. Those forecasts come from state environmental protection departments and are usually no more than 48 hours out.
But she expects the haze to persist through Thursday and Friday, and that air quality could potentially deteriorate further overnight.
“Getting the exact visibility is still pretty challenging when we’re talking about smoke, more than several hours out,” Johnson cautioned.
Air quality in Philly ‘unhealthy’ due to wildfire smoke
You might want to skip that morning run or wait a few days to mow the lawn.
Smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires has descended over the Philadelphia region, casting a haze, causing a campfire-like smell, and producing poor air quality.
The Air Quality Index by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is in the unhealthy range for Center City, Northeast Philadelphia, Chester, Norristown, and Camden. The index ranges from 0 to 500. Unhealthy is from 151 to 200. Center City was the highest in the area at 184, as of 7:30 a.m.
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The index measures a range of pollutants, including really fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5; carbon monoxide; sulfur dioxide; and nitrogen dioxide.
The National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert until midnight Thursday.
And the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a Code Red Air Quality Action Day for fine particulates. An Air Quality Action Day means that air quality within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards.
Code red means that young children, elderly people, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable and should avoid outdoor activities. Everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.
In addition, the NWS has issued a heat advisory until 8 p.m. Thursday with the heat index to hover near 100.
Code red air quality alert has been issued for the Philly area
The sun tries to peek through the clouds and wildfire smoke from Canada over houses in Ridley Park Thursday.Torin Sweeney / Staff
Smoke from Canadian wildfires began enveloping the region Thursday, creating a haze, a faint smell of charcoal, and a potential danger for people with respiratory issues.
The National Weather Service has issued a code red air quality day for Philadelphia and surrounding counties through midnight. That means air quality across the region is forecast to approach or exceed unhealthy standards.
By daybreak, air quality was tumbling to unhealthy levels in Philadelphia and a broad swath of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to an Inquirer analysis of dozens of public sensors.
Early Thursday morning, the amount of fine particulate matter in the air, measured by the Environmental Protection Agency in a metric called the Air Quality Index, or AQI, had risen sharply.
Air with an AQI above 150 is considered unhealthy to breathe with prolonged exposure for most individuals, according to the EPA. In air quality alerts issued by the National Weather Service, forecasters recommended avoiding prolonged outdoor exposure, and particularly avoiding common activities like exercise.
It was unclear when the smoke would dissipate across the region, but the National Weather Service said it could linger into Friday.
This map shows air quality in the Northeastern U.S.
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Canadian wildfire photos: How things look elsewhere
Julian McTaggart is playfully pushed into Vermont’s West River as smoke from Canadian wildfires creates an orange haze over the area.Kristopher RadderWildfire smoke blankets downtown Toronto Wednesday after wildfires swept across Ontario.IAN WILLMSThe CN Tower is pictured in Toronto as wildfire smoke fills the city.Laura Proctor
The Philadelphia region is under an extreme heat warning Wednesday, leading transit agencies to slow down trains to ensure safe travel amid a high of 98 degrees.
Amtrak and SEPTA were slowing trains down by 5 to 10 mph, and Amtrak was canceling some Acela and Northeast Regional train trips due to the heat, officials said.
Amtrak plans to reduce train speeds through Friday, in addition to canceling at least a dozen trains each day Wednesday and Thursday.
“While these measures are intended to maintain safe and reliable operations, customers traveling during these hours should continue to monitor their train status for the latest updates,” an Amtrak spokesperson said.
Regional rail train heading to Philadelphia Airport stopping at Jefferson Station. SEPTA Regional rail riders at Jefferson Station, Philadelphia, Tuesday, October 7, 2025.Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
SEPTA has not canceled trips, but it was operating trains at a slower speed, which could lead to delays of up to 15 minutes on Regional Rail and trolleys, SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said. Subway lines were also running slower but were less affected since they are not exposed to direct sunlight as often as other services.
“Bringing speeds 5 to 10 mph slower from their top speed is not always very noticeable to customers, but it can cause some minor delays,” Busch said. “Extreme heat like this makes the tracks more susceptible to damage, and by slowing down the speeds you can help prevent that.”
In extreme heat, rails can begin to warp and eventually crack, creating dangerous circumstances. The wires that hang overhead to power the trains also begin to “sag” in extreme heat, Busch said. The heat also affects electrical equipment like signals and switches, similar to how many across the region can experience power outages in extreme heat.
When temperatures reach 88 degrees, all of these potential safety hazards intensify, Busch said. That is the threshold for when transit agencies begin monitoring their rail systems to see if adjustments are needed.
These safety measures are expected into Thursday and Friday as temperatures are expected to reach 96 and 92 degrees, respectively, according to the National Weather Service. Philadelphia has hit the 100-degree mark three times in 2026, just two shy of the record number for most 100-degree days, according to the weather service.
While the city has not declared a heat emergency, the Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services declared a “code red,” meaning additional outreach was being done to connect those in need to services.
